A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 28, 2026, for the hearing of a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to reopen its investigation into the death of popular Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.
The case, which has attracted public attention, was adjourned on Monday by Justice James Omotosho after confirming that all parties involved had been properly served with court documents. The respondents in the suit include the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
The suit was filed by a civil society group, the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation. The organisation is asking the court to order the police to carry out what it described as a “thorough, diligent, and impartial” fresh investigation into the circumstances surrounding the singer’s death in September 2023.
During Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the applicant, Tunde Falola, told the court that all respondents in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/636/2026, had been duly served with the necessary documents. Based on this confirmation, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 28 for full hearing.
The court had earlier granted the foundation permission to file the suit, which seeks an order of mandamus. This is a legal request asking the court to compel a public authority—in this case, the police—to perform its official duties as stated under the law. The applicant is relying on Section 4 of the Police Act 2020, which outlines the responsibilities of the police, including the duty to investigate crimes and ensure justice is served.
Part of the relief sought by the group is for the court to direct the police to invite and question all individuals who were reportedly last seen with the late singer before his death. These include his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, close associates, and his father, Joseph Aloba, who resides in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The foundation also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s burial, stating that he was buried quickly without proper police clearance. The group is urging the court to compel the police to investigate this aspect and determine whether due process was followed.
In addition, the applicant is asking the court to order the arrest and prosecution of anyone found to be directly or indirectly responsible for the singer’s death, if evidence supports such action.
In an earlier ruling delivered on April 15, 2026, Justice Omotosho granted the foundation leave to proceed with the case. The judge also approved substituted service on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, allowing court documents to be delivered through alternative means. Specifically, the court directed that the documents be dropped at the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Mohbad’s death in September 2023 sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria, especially among young people and fans of the singer. The 27-year-old artist, known for his contributions to the Afrobeats music scene, died under circumstances that many Nigerians found suspicious.
His death led to protests in several parts of the country, with demonstrators demanding justice and transparency in the investigation. The hashtag #Justice4Mohbad trended for weeks on social media, both within Nigeria and internationally, as calls grew louder for authorities to uncover the truth.
At the time, the police launched an investigation and made some arrests, but many Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction with the pace and transparency of the process. Critics accused security agencies of not doing enough to address the concerns raised by the public.
The renewed legal action by Break the Silence Foundation reflects ongoing public interest in the case and the demand for accountability. Observers say the outcome of the suit could have wider implications for how high-profile cases are handled in Nigeria, especially those involving public figures.
As the May 28 hearing date approaches, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the court will grant the requests of the applicant and whether this will lead to new developments in the case.
For now, the death of Mohbad remains a painful memory for fans and a test case for Nigeria’s justice system, as calls for clarity and accountability continue more than two years after the singer’s passing.